Buoyancy arrangement for a submarine antenna buoy

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed herein an integrated buoyancy tank and electronic equipment canisters with the canisters hermetically sealed to each other and with the buoyancy tank hermetically sealed to one end of the tandem arrangement of a plurality of electronic equipment canisters. The canisters as well as the buoyancy tanks provide the necessary buoyancy for the buoy and yet enables increasing the amount of electronic equipment aboard the buoy since this electronic equipment can project into the buoyancy tank itself.

United States Patent Majkrzak Sept. 2, 1975 BUOYANCY ARRANGEMENT FOR A SUBMARINE ANTENNA BUOY Primary Examiner-Trygve M. Blix Assistant Examiner--Gregory W. OConnor [75] Inventor. Charles P. Ma krzak, Nutley, NJ. Attorney, Agent or Firm john T onanoran; [73] Assignee: International Telephone and Menotti J. Lombardi; Alfred (1. Hill Telegraph Corporation, Nutley, NJ.

[22] Filed: Mar. 18, 1974 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 452,091 There is disclosed herein an integrated buoyancy tank and electronic equipment canisters with the canisters hermetically sealed to each other and with the buoy- (gl ancy tank hermetically sealed to one end of the dem arrangement of a plurality of electronic equip [58] Field of Search 3 2 ment canisters. The canisters as well as the buoyancy tanks provide the necessary buoyancy for the buoy and yet enables increasing the amount of electronic [56] References cued equipment aboard the buoy since this electronic UNITED STATES PATENTS equipment can project into the buoyancy tank itself. 3.004.268 10/1961 Haas 114/.5 F 3,009,174 11/1961 Davies 9/8 R 10 Clalms, 3 Drawing Flgul'es QUOYANC Y TANK ELETRON/C EQUIP/751V 7' CAN/S 75R TOW CABLE PATENTEDSEP 21915 BUOYAA/C Y TANK F/BfRGZASS RIB W BEO'ZABS 79W EA ELTRICAL CA ms A Mo UMTING DECK 2 7 REMOV 8E1? LA 3S TANK BUOYANCY ARRANGEMENT FOR A SUBMARINE ANTENNA BUOY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to submarine antenna buoys and more particularly to a buoyancy arrangement for such buoys.

The specification for an antenna buoy to be towed by a submarine fixes the buoys contour, the buoys con trol surfaces, the buoys loaded center of gravity, the buoys loaded center of buoyancy, the tow point and the minimum buoyancy to conform with previously developed and tested buoys to assure a stable flight when towed.

The prior buoyancy arrangement in a buoy to meet the above specifications had the electronic equipment confined to one large24 and two small caanisters at the aft end of the buoy. This configuration permitted separate buoyancy tanks to have a length substantially equal to the length of the buoy minus the space taken up by the canisters.

Upgraded communication requirements, which demand an increase in payload of the electronic packages and antennas over and above that originally housed and towed in the prior art buoy, requires approximately twice the canister volume previously employed for the electronic equipment which in the prior art buoy employing an arrangement of separate buoyancy tanks and separate electronic equipment canisters correspondingly shortens the buoyancy tanks. This signifcantly shifts the center of buoyancy forward and the center of gravity astern which will not meet the specifications set down to be met by the builder of submarine antenna buoys.

Adopting the concept where a required buoyancy would be inherently derived collectively from the buoyancy tank and from the several separate electronic canisters to obtain the proper tow attitude, there must be provided means for individually porting and venting each and every unit to adequately and timely scuttle the buoy itself if such should be needed to protect the security of the electronic equipment carried in the buoy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a buoyancy arrangement for a submarine antenna buoy which will meet the specifications mentioned hereinabove under the heading Background of the Invention" and yet will enable handling an increased payload due to the requirement for more electronic communication equipment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a buoyancy arrangement for a submarine antenna buoy which significantly reduces the weight contained within the buoy, distributes the weight forward more readily and enables scuttling to be more efficient and reliable.

A feature of the present invention is the provision of a buoyancy arrangement for a submarine antenna buoy comprising: at least a first buoyancy tank disposed in the buoy, the first tank having an open end; at least a first electronic equipment canister disposed to project into the first tank through the open end of the first tank, the first canister having an open end disposed in the first tank to provide communication between the interiors of the first tank and the first canister; and a first seal arrangement to hermetically seal thhe first canister to the first tank to provide a first integrated electronic equipment canister and buoyancy tank to cause the buoy to assume a desired attitude when towed by the submarine, the first canister contributing to the buoyancy of the buoy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention will become more apparent by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. ll is a side view of a submarine antenna buoy illustrating one of the buoyancy arrangements in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the: submarine antenna buoy showing a dual buoyancy arrangement in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view illustrating how the electronic equipment canisters are hermetically sealed to each other and how the integrated electronic communication canisters are sealed to the buoyancy tank.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. ll, 2 and 3 there is illustrated therein the buoyancy arrangement for a submarine antenna buoy in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The buoyancy arrangement includes within the completely closed housing or hull 1 of a submarine antenna buoy a first buoyancy tank 2 and a second buoyancy tank 3. An end of each of buoyancy tanks 2 and 3 are removed and electronic equipment contained in canisters 4 and 5 and canisters 6 and 7 are caused to project into the open end of buoyancy tanks 2 and 3, respectively. Canister 4 is hermetically sealed to the open end of buoyancy tank 2 and canister 6 is hermetically sealed to the open end of buoyancy tank 3 by means of a first hermetic seal arrangement 8 as illustrated in FIG. 3. Canisters 4 and 5 and canisters 6 and 7 are hermetically sealed to each other by means of a second hermetic sealing arrangement 9 including a V-band coupling which is fuse linked with spring loading between the adjacent. surfaces of the canisters such as canisters 4 and 5. Each of the canisters 4, 5, 6 and 7 have an open end so that there is communication between the interior of the buoyancy tanks 2 and 3 and their associated electronic equipment canisters, such as canisters 4 and 5 and canisters 6 and 7 respectively. By providing this communication canisters 4 and 5 cooperate in providing buoyancy in addition to that provided by buoyancy tank 2. The same statement may be made with respect to canisters 6 and 7 and buoyancy tank 3.

By removing the ends of buoyancy tanks 2 and 3 and at least one end of each of the electronic canisters 4, 5, 6 and 7 weight is reduced when the units are combined to form a single pressure package as illustrated in FIGS. l and 2.

In addition to contributing to the buoyancy of the buoy the electronic equipment canisters can now have its electronic equipment readily intrude into the buoyancy tank itself Without affecting the overall displacement. By doing this the center of gravity is shifted forward. It is the intent to house those electronics most in need of cooling by external water flow in the readily removable end canisters 5 and 7 and to support other electronic equipment from the mounting deck 10 (FIG.

3) with as much mass protruding into the buoyancy tank on deck as is necessary for proper weight distribution.

As illustrated in FIG. 3 buoyancy tanks 2 and 3 are made of fiberglass and incorporate therein a fiberglass rib 11 to provide structural strength for the buoyancy tanks.

The hermetic sealing arrangement 8 includes a flange 12 secured to canister 4 adjacent to the open end of canister 4. Flange 12 includes a depression 13 in the surface ofthe flange facing the end wall of the open end of buoyancy tank 2. A cavity 14 is formed between flange 12, the end wall of the open end of tank 2 and the exterior surface of canister 4. A seal 15 is disposed in depression 13 and pressed against the end wall of the open end of tank 2 to provide a first hermetic seal. A second seal 16 is disposed in cavity 14 to provide a second hermetic seal between flange 12, the end wall of the open end of tank 2 and the exterior surface of canister 4. The first and second hermetic seals formed by seals 15 and 16 is provided when flange 12 is secured to the end wall of the open end of tank 2 by means such as bolt 17.

The hermetic sealing arrangement 9 hermetically sealing the two canisters 4 and 5 include a member 18 having been disposed therein in depression 19 secured to the open end of canister 4. Canister 5 carries a member 20 which has a projecting piece 21 which overlaps member 18 secured to canister 4. A cavity 22 is formed between member 18, member 20 and the projection 21. A first seal 23 is disposed in depression 19 and pressed against the facing surface of member 20 and a second seal 24 is disposed in cavity 22 so as to provide a second hermetic seal between members 18 and 20 and the projection 21. The hermetic seals are provided by securing members 18 and 20 to stay in a sealing engagement with seals 23 and 24 by a V-band coupling 25.

In contrast to the prior buoyancy arrangement of previous submarine antenna buoys only two units need be flooded, namely, the two integrated buoyancy tank and electronic equipment canisters associated with each of the buoyancy tanks. This flooding of the two integrated buoyancy arrangements can be accomplished by fuse linking the V-band coupling and spring loading the adjacent faces of members 18 and 20 so that the canisters 4 and 5 as well as canisters 6 and 7 can be rapidly and reliably separated by breaking the fuse link and having the spring loading of the canisters separate the canisters and thereby flood each of the integrated buoyancy arrangements. Thus, a simple arrangement for adequately and timely scuttling the buoy is provided, if it should become necessary to protect security equipment that may be contained within the electronic equipment canisters from falling into unauthorized hands.

While I have described above the principles of my invention in connection with specific apparatus it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation to the scope of my invention set forth in the objects thereof and in the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. A buoyancy arrangement for a submarine antenna buoy comprising:

a completely closed housing for said buoy;

at least a first buoyancy tank disposed within said housing, said first tank having an open end;

at least a first electronic equipment canister disposed within said housing and to project into said first tank through said open end of said first tank, said first canister having an open end disposed in said first tank to provide communication between the interiors of said first tank and said first canister; and

a first seal arrangement to hermetically seal said first canister to said first tank to provide a first integrated electronic equipment canister and buoyancy tank to cause said buoy to assume a desired attitude when towed by said submarine, said first canister contributing to the buoyancy of said buoy.

2. A buoyancy arrangement for a submarine antenna buoy comprising:

at least a first buoyancy tank disposed in said buoy,

said first tank having an open end;

at least a first electronic equipment canister disposed to project into said first tank through said open end of said first tank, said first canister having an open end disposed in said first tank to provide communication between the interiors of said first tank and said first canister; and

a first seal arrangement to hermetically seal said first canister to said first tank to provide a first integrated electronic equipment canister and buoyancy tank to cause said buoy to assume a desired attitude when towed by said submarine, said first canister contributing to the buoyancy of said buoy;

said first seal arrangement including:

a first flange secured to said first canister adjacent said open end of said first canister, said first flange having a first depression in a surface thereof facing the end wall of said open end of said first tank,

a first cavity formed between said first flange, the end wall of said open end of said first tank and the exterior surface of said first canister,

a first seal disposed in said first depression and pressed against the end wall of said open end of said first tank to provide a first hermetic seal, and

a second seal disposed in said first cavity to provide a second hermetic seal between said first flange, the end wall of said open end of said first tank and the exterior surface of said first canister,

said first and second hermetic seals being provided when said first flange is secured to the end wall of said open end of said first tank.

3. An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the other end of said first canister is open; and further including a second electronic equipment canister disposed to butt against said other open end of said first canister, said second canister having an open end adjacent said first canister to provide communication between the interiors of said first tank and said first and second canisters; and

a second seal arrangement disposed adjacent the adjacent open ends of said first and second canisters to hermetically seal said second canister to said first canister to provide a first integrated buoyancy tank and a pair of electronic equipment canisters, said second canister also contributing to the buoyancy of said buoy.

4. An arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said second seal arrangement includes a first V-band coupling.

5. An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said first V-band coupling is fuse linked and said adjacent open ends of said first and second canisters are spring loadedto provide rapid and reliable separation of said first and second canisters to ensure adequate and timely scuttling of said buoy.

6. An arrangement according to claim 5, further including a second buoyancy tank disposed in said buoy parallel to said first tank, said second tank having an open end;

a third electronic equipment canister disposed to project into said second tank through said open end of said second tank, said third canister having an open end disposed in said second tank to provide communication between the interiors of said second tank and said third canister; and

a third seal arrangement to hermetically seal said third canister to said second tank to provide a second integrated electronic equipment canister and buoyancy tank to assist said first integrated canister and buoyancy tank in causing said buoy to assume a desired attitude when towed by said submarine, said third canister also contributing to the buoyancy of said buoy.

7. An arrangement according to claim 6, wherein said third seal arrangement includes a second flange secured to said third canister adjacent said open end of said third canister, said second flange having a second depression in a surface thereof facing the end wall of said open end of said second tank,

a second cavity formed between said second flange, the end wall of said open end of said second tank and the exterior surface of said third canister,

a third seal disposed in said second depression and pressed against the end wall of said open end of said second tank to provide a third hermetic seal, and

a fourth seal disposed in said cavity to provide a fourth hermetic seal between said second flange, the end wall of said open end of said second tank and the exterior surface of said third canister, said third and fourth hermetic seals being provided when said second flange is secured to the end wall of said open end of said second tank. 8. An arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the other end of said third canister is open; and further including a fourth electronic equipment canister disposed to butt against said other open end of said third canister, said fourth canister having an open end adjacent said third canister to provide communication between the interiors of said second tank and said third and fourth canisters; and a fourth seal arrangement disposed adjacent the adjacent open ends of said third and fourth canisters to hermetically seal said fourth canister to said third canister to provide a second integrated buoyancy tank and a pair of electronic equipment canisters, said fourth canister also contributing to the buoyancy of said buoy. 9. An arrangement according to claim 8, wherein said fourth seal arrangement includes a second V-band coupling. 10. An arrangement according to claim 9, wherein said second V-band coupling is fuse linked and said adjacent open ends of said third and fourth canisters are spring loaded to provide rapid and reliable separation of said third and fourth canisters to as sist the rapid and reliable separation of said first and second canisters to ensure adequate and timely scuttling of said buoy. 

1. A buoyancy arrangement for a submarine antenna buoy comprising: a completely closed housing for said buoy; at least a first buoyancy tank disposed within said housing, said first tank having an open end; at least a first electronic equipment canister disposed within said housing and to project into said first tank through said open end of said first tank, said first canister having an open end disposed in said first tank to provide communication between the interiors of said first tank and said first canister; and a first seal arrangement to hermetically seal said first canister to said first tank to provide a first integrated electronic equipment canister and buoyancy tank to cause said buoy to assume a desired attitude when towed by said submarine, said first canister contributing to the buoyancy of said buoy.
 2. A buoyancy arrangement for a submarine antenna buoy comprising: at least a first buoyancy tank disposed in said buoy, said first tank having an open end; at least a first electronic equipment canister disposed to project into said first tank through said open end of said first tank, said first canister having an open end disposed in said first tank to provide communication between the interiors of said first tank and said first canister; and a first seal arrangement to hermetically seal said first canister to said first tank to provide a first integrated electronic equipment canistEr and buoyancy tank to cause said buoy to assume a desired attitude when towed by said submarine, said first canister contributing to the buoyancy of said buoy; said first seal arrangement including: a first flange secured to said first canister adjacent said open end of said first canister, said first flange having a first depression in a surface thereof facing the end wall of said open end of said first tank, a first cavity formed between said first flange, the end wall of said open end of said first tank and the exterior surface of said first canister, a first seal disposed in said first depression and pressed against the end wall of said open end of said first tank to provide a first hermetic seal, and a second seal disposed in said first cavity to provide a second hermetic seal between said first flange, the end wall of said open end of said first tank and the exterior surface of said first canister, said first and second hermetic seals being provided when said first flange is secured to the end wall of said open end of said first tank.
 3. An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the other end of said first canister is open; and further including a second electronic equipment canister disposed to butt against said other open end of said first canister, said second canister having an open end adjacent said first canister to provide communication between the interiors of said first tank and said first and second canisters; and a second seal arrangement disposed adjacent the adjacent open ends of said first and second canisters to hermetically seal said second canister to said first canister to provide a first integrated buoyancy tank and a pair of electronic equipment canisters, said second canister also contributing to the buoyancy of said buoy.
 4. An arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said second seal arrangement includes a first V-band coupling.
 5. An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said first V-band coupling is fuse linked and said adjacent open ends of said first and second canisters are spring loaded to provide rapid and reliable separation of said first and second canisters to ensure adequate and timely scuttling of said buoy.
 6. An arrangement according to claim 5, further including a second buoyancy tank disposed in said buoy parallel to said first tank, said second tank having an open end; a third electronic equipment canister disposed to project into said second tank through said open end of said second tank, said third canister having an open end disposed in said second tank to provide communication between the interiors of said second tank and said third canister; and a third seal arrangement to hermetically seal said third canister to said second tank to provide a second integrated electronic equipment canister and buoyancy tank to assist said first integrated canister and buoyancy tank in causing said buoy to assume a desired attitude when towed by said submarine, said third canister also contributing to the buoyancy of said buoy.
 7. An arrangement according to claim 6, wherein said third seal arrangement includes a second flange secured to said third canister adjacent said open end of said third canister, said second flange having a second depression in a surface thereof facing the end wall of said open end of said second tank, a second cavity formed between said second flange, the end wall of said open end of said second tank and the exterior surface of said third canister, a third seal disposed in said second depression and pressed against the end wall of said open end of said second tank to provide a third hermetic seal, and a fourth seal disposed in said cavity to provide a fourth hermetic seal between said second flange, the end wall of said open end of said second tank and the exterior surface of said third canister, said third and fourth hermetic seals being provided when said second flange is secureD to the end wall of said open end of said second tank.
 8. An arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the other end of said third canister is open; and further including a fourth electronic equipment canister disposed to butt against said other open end of said third canister, said fourth canister having an open end adjacent said third canister to provide communication between the interiors of said second tank and said third and fourth canisters; and a fourth seal arrangement disposed adjacent the adjacent open ends of said third and fourth canisters to hermetically seal said fourth canister to said third canister to provide a second integrated buoyancy tank and a pair of electronic equipment canisters, said fourth canister also contributing to the buoyancy of said buoy.
 9. An arrangement according to claim 8, wherein said fourth seal arrangement includes a second V-band coupling.
 10. An arrangement according to claim 9, wherein said second V-band coupling is fuse linked and said adjacent open ends of said third and fourth canisters are spring loaded to provide rapid and reliable separation of said third and fourth canisters to assist the rapid and reliable separation of said first and second canisters to ensure adequate and timely scuttling of said buoy. 